The Lightyears Series - Episode 14 - The Theories

“What were you looking for?”

“The chip with my notes on it. I really didn’t think it would be here, but it was worth a shot.” I activated one of the terminals and hacked my way into the government database. “I wonder what they actually know…and what their intent is.”

“You are going to hack into their databases…as any good spy would. I am going to look around and see if I can find anything of significance.”

As I made my way through their firewalls, I managed to find a file with all of the Island Committee minutes in it. However, it was password protected. Managing to break the password, when the information ran across my screen, it was encoded. I worked to decode it when I felt something prick my arm, then I felt myself go limp and fall off the chair and into a puddle on the ground.

What seemed like seconds later, I blinked rapidly. I looked around and realized I was sitting on the couch of a fancy office. It sprawled the size of a quarter of a football field with a large oak desk and wooden, elaborately carved chairs in front and one behind. The walls were lined with shelves that housed old, dusty books and paintings. I’d been here before. I just didn’t remember when or why. Jake sat beside me.

“We meet again,” a voice whispered as he turned the chair around to reveal a dark-haired man with a goatee. His pale blue eyes—kind and with a hint of concern. “I am sorry I had to bring you here like this. The medication my guards gave you is harmless. I promise.” I ran my eyes over his harsh looking jaw with a scar on his left cheek. He was dressed in his standard black and white suit.

His name escaped my lips: “Stephan.”

“It’s me. You know I am not here to hurt you. I am here to help you and you help me. We can help each other. You know I would never hurt you…or your companion here.”

“How did you know it was me,” I asked him, searching his eyes.

“The Island Committee has spies everywhere around you, but I am the only one who sees how useful it could be if you and I worked together to solve this. I am the only one, outside of Josh, who helped keep you safe while you were here.” He turned to Jake. “You are Doctor Jake Riley. I am Stephan. No, I am not after her. No, we have never been sexually involved. No, I am not going to hurt you or her.”

When I caught Jake’s shocked face, I smirked. “Stephan forgot to tell you that he is telepathic, which is how I really suspect he realized we were on the planet.” I turned to Stephan and said, “Have your skills developed beyond the planet yet?”

Stephan shook his head. “Not yet.”

“I am glad that your telepathic skills don’t reach to our MASH vessel.”

“I couldn’t read you until you entered the café. I can tell, emotionally, that you are being drained by finally meeting your biological family. Your brothers and sister and I grew up together, but I didn’t really get along with the boys and Josh. I had a huge crush on Brianna though. I didn’t realize they were your family until recently. I am not sure about your parents though. They have never really liked me.”

“I am not sure about them either. I am wondering how it is that they are still in here. Everyone else was either killed or released with a return date. How did my parents and my siblings get to stay alive in this place?”